The Nitty Gritty – 25+ Pragmatic Tips for Independent Learning and University Success

Part 3 of 3 of a presentation at the University English Centres of Australia (UECA) PD Fest, at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Insearch, May 12, 2018.

After introductions, context, and explanation of ‘Elvis Moments’, the first part examines tips from the library. Starting out with the Dewey decimal system, moving on to file naming conventions, textbook navigation, internet research, research databases, and lastly academic articles.

The second part then looks at the wider university and the genius of Mr Miyagi, the iconic character from the 80’s Karate Kid Movies, and his practice of killing two birds with one stone. After this old course materials are discussed, then learning management systems (LMS) followed by course software.

The final section of the presentation on Processes & Strategies begins with the 3R’s of referencing, report writing, and research skills, followed in rapid succession by content and language integrated learning (CLIL), visual imagery, multiple intelligences, IQ puzzles, levels & options, and Blooms revised taxonomy.

PS Please forgive the excessive information on the slides, I am breaking a rule that I teach my academic English students of keeping the slides simple in terms of text and images. This is so that the PowerPoint can be a reference for those interested.

The Nitty Gritty – 25+ Pragmatic Tips for Independent Learning and University Success

Part 2 of 3 of a presentation at the University English Centres of Australia (UECA) PD Fest, at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Insearch, May 12, 2018

After introductions, context, and explanation of ‘Elvis Moments’, the first part examines tips from the library. Starting out with the Dewey decimal system, moving on to file naming conventions, textbook navigation, internet research, research databases, and lastly academic articles.

The second part then looks at the wider university and the genius of Mr Miyagi, the iconic character from the 80’s Karate Kid Movies, and his practice of killing two birds with one stone. After this old course materials are discussed, then learning management systems (LMS) followed by course software.

The final section of the presentation on Processes & Strategies begins with the 3R’s of referencing, report writing, and research skills, followed in rapid succession by content and language integrated learning (CLIL), visual imagery, multiple intelligences, IQ puzzles, levels & options, and Blooms revised taxonomy.

PS Please forgive the excessive information on the slides, I am breaking a rule that I teach my academic English students of keeping the slides simple in terms of text and images. This is so that the PowerPoint can be a reference for those interested.

The Nitty Gritty – 25+ Pragmatic Tips for Independent Learning and University Success

Part 1 of 3 of a presentation at the University English Centres of Australia (UECA) PD Fest, at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) – Insearch, May 12, 2018.

After introductions, context, and explanation of ‘Elvis Moments’, the first part examines tips from the library. Starting out with the Dewey decimal system, moving on to file naming conventions, textbook navigation, internet research, research databases, and lastly academic articles.

The second part then looks at the wider university and the genius of Mr Miyagi, the iconic character from the 80’s Karate Kid Movies, and his practice of killing two birds with one stone. After this old course materials are discussed, then learning management systems (LMS) followed by course software. Internet & Communications Technology (ICT) followed by processes and strategies are the focus of the third part. In ICT the flipped classroom, Googling, connectivism, reverse engineering, splitting the monitor screen, grammarly software, Google Docs voice typing, find functions, Google Translate, bookmarks, video to MPS conversion, book summaries, audio books, and finally Wikipedia are highlighted.

The final section of the presentation on Processes & Strategies begins with the 3R’s of referencing, report writing, and research skills, followed in rapid succession by content and language integrated learning (CLIL), visual imagery, multiple intelligences, IQ puzzles, levels & options, and Blooms revised taxonomy.

PS Please forgive the excessive information on the slides, I am breaking a rule that I teach my academic English students of keeping the slides simple in terms of text and images. This is so that the PowerPoint can be a reference for those interested.

Part 2 of 4 of a presentation at the English Australia conference, at the Adelaide Hilton, September 20 – 22, 2017.

After introductions and context, the first part examines the training wheels theory, which combines the stages and process of the gradual release of responsibility theory, with the staged self-directed learning (SSDL) model. These stages and processes are related to the DE course at CQU English.

The second part then looks at the it is what it is theory, an amalgamation of Biggs 3 levels – What students are, What teachers do, What students do; Learning styles – Surface, Strategic, Deep; and the PAH continuum – Pedagogy, Andragogy & Heutagogy. As in the first part, this amalgamation is related to the CQU English Direct Entry course. The second part concludes with the genius of Mr Miyagi, the iconic character from the Karate Kid movies of the 80’s, and how his killing two birds with one stone philosophy can get more done and better prepare DE students for university.

Part three proposes a new blended learning of connectivism, movement and environment. A constructivist theory for the digital age, actionable takeaways of connectivism for the DE classroom, as well as for the use of movement and environment, are explained and the involvement of the audience occurs with amusing results.

The fourth and final part, though rushed due to time limitations, explores the peak end rule, circadian rhythms, the 90/20/8 rule, flexible and dynamic grouping, cultural competency, class bonding, and classroom silliness (as a circuit breaker). It finishes too quickly on start-up methodology and the business model canvas.

PS Please forgive the excessive information on the slides, I am breaking a rule that I teach my academic English students of keeping the slides simple in terms of text and images. This is so that the PowerPoint can be a reference for those interested.

Part 1 of 4 of a presentation at the English Australia conference, at the Adelaide Hilton, September 20 – 22, 2017.

After introductions and context, the first part examines the training wheels theory, which combines the stages and process of the gradual release of responsibility theory, with the staged self-directed learning (SSDL) model. These stages and processes are related to the DE course at CQU English.

The second part then looks at the it is what it is theory, an amalgamation of Biggs 3 levels – What students are, What teachers do, What students do; Learning styles – Surface, Strategic, Deep; and the PAH continuum – Pedagogy, Andragogy & Heutagogy. As in the first part, this amalgamation is related to the CQU English Direct Entry course. The second part concludes with the genius of Mr Miyagi, the iconic character from the Karate Kid movies of the 80’s, and how his killing two birds with one stone philosophy can get more done and better prepare DE students for university.

Part three proposes a new blended learning of connectivism, movement and environment. A constructivist theory for the digital age, actionable takeaways of connectivism for the DE classroom, as well as for the use of movement and environment, are explained and the involvement of the audience occurs with amusing results.

The fourth and final part, though rushed due to time limitations, explores the peak end rule, circadian rhythms, the 90/20/8 rule, flexible and dynamic grouping, cultural competency, class bonding, and classroom silliness (as a circuit breaker). It finishes too quickly on start-up methodology and the business model canvas.

PS Please forgive the excessive information on the slides, I am breaking a rule that I teach my academic English students of keeping the slides simple in terms of text and images. This is so that the PowerPoint can be a reference for those interested.